As a veterinary surgeon, Matthew Morgan, DVM ’11, has seen his fair share of injured animals. But the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine alumni’s perspective may be a little different than most.
The SGU vet school grad is a major in the US Army Veterinary Corps, where he provides life-saving care to primarily military dogs in high-risk environments. He recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Middle East where he served as the attending veterinarian for all US and partner force military working dogs in the region.
“Caring for our nation’s military working dogs is both a profound responsibility and a privilege. It gives me immense pride to serve those who serve, and to give back to my country using the skills I first began developing at SGU,” Dr. Morgan said.
In 2021, Dr. Morgan was presented with the Army Commendation Medal for serving as acting commander of the 147th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support during the early part of COVID (February to October 2020).
“Leading the unit during that time was a tremendous responsibility, and it meant a great deal to be recognized for supporting the mission and the care of our military working dogs,” he said.
Path to military
Dr. Morgan’s path to the military officially began in 2018 but the seeds were planted well before that. Early in his veterinary career, he had the opportunity to work with police K9s. The experience left a lasting impression, he said.
“What truly pushed me to act was when a military unit came through our (veterinary) hospital for pre-deployment veterinary training,” Dr. Morgan said. “Talking to them, it became clear there was a shortage of veterinary surgeons in the military. That moment stuck with me.”
Dr. Morgan realized he could use his surgical training to support military working dogs and their handlers while contributing to national defense.
“Joining the Vet Corps felt like a natural next step,” he said.
Providing unique veterinary care
By doing so, he developed a passion for caring for these elite canines. Military working dogs are trained for missions ranging from detection and tracking to apprehension and explosives work. Unlike typical family pets, these dogs operate at full intensity around the clock, which creates unique challenges for veterinary care.
“Military dogs are incredibly driven and laser-focused on their job. They truly live to work,” Dr. Morgan explained.
Because of their high energy and unwavering commitment to duty, traditional treatment plans often need to be adapted. Prescribing strict rest, for instance, isn’t always realistic. Instead, care strategies must consider their need for activity and purpose, even during recovery, he added.
“It’s an honor to care for them, and a constant reminder of how valuable they are to the teams they serve alongside,” he said.
Military dogs aren’t the only animals that Dr. Morgan potentially works with when deployed. During this last deployment, he assisted with several fracture repairs on local pets in areas where there were no veterinary surgeons available. His unit also helped with camels and other livestock at the request of host nations, which helped to support civil-military cooperation and build relationships with partner forces.
Across the Veterinary Corps, there are veterinarians who work with ceremonial horses—such as those at Arlington National Cemetery—and even aquatic mammals in support of US Navy operations, Dr. Morgan noted.
“It’s a diverse and unique field that goes well beyond what most people expect when they think of military veterinary medicine,” he added.
Still being in the US Army Veterinary Corps is not without its challenges such as leaving regular clinical practice and loved ones for extended periods of time. Once deployed, officers often work in austere environments, sometimes out of tents with limited equipment and resources.
“You have to rely on your training, adaptability, and problem-solving skills to provide the same high level of care under very different conditions. It’s rewarding work, but it demands flexibility, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose,” Dr. Morgan said.
Civilian life
In his civilian life, Dr. Morgan is the chief of surgery at VERG Brooklyn, a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic in Brooklyn, NY.
Whether performing complex procedures in an operating room or caring for military working dogs overseas, Dr. Morgan is guided by a strong commitment to service in all areas of his work.
“I’ve always felt a strong connection to animals and a desire to help them,” he said. “I love the intersection of precision, compassion, and purpose that defines both sides of my career.”
He chose to specialize in surgery because of the immediate and tangible impact it can have on an animal’s life.
“There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being able to fix a fractured leg, remove a life-threatening tumor, or restoring a pet’s quality of life through a complex procedure,” he said. “It’s not an easy path—long nights and years of residency training were part of the journey—but the reward of helping animals heal makes it all worth it.”
Getting his start at SGU
Dr. Morgan chose to attend SGU for several reasons, including its high-quality education, strong reputation from practicing grads as well as the appeal of being located in the Caribbean, he said.
“I’m a passionate scuba diver and had spent time sailing and diving on different islands before vet school, so the idea of studying in a place like Grenada felt like a dream come true,” Dr. Morgan said. “What really sold me, though, was I kept hearing about SGU grads doing amazing things all over the country. It made me feel confident that I’d get the education I needed to chase my goals—no matter how big.”
Indeed, SGU gave him the foundation he needed to succeed as a veterinarian and compete for a highly sought-after surgical residency.
“With so few slots and so many qualified applicants, pursuing a residency in surgery is incredibly competitive. You have to be well-trained and confident in your abilities to even be considered,” he said. “SGU gave me that preparation and confidence. It helped shape not only my clinical skills but also my resilience and work ethic, both of which have been critical in my career and my pursuit of a challenging specialty.”